Gingivitis: What Causes This Condition & How to Treat It

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According to the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), one out of two Canadians suffers from gingivitis. On a more specific note, about 16 million Canadians have this oral infection, whether young or old. Unfortunately, some people do not know they have it, and if they do, they think of it as mere bad breath. However, there’s more to it than what many people expect. If left untreated for long periods, it can escalate into other severe health issues.

In this article, we’ll share what you need to know about gingivitis—its causes and treatments––and how an emergency dentist in Edmonton can help your condition:

Gingivitis in a nutshell

As mentioned, gingivitis is more than just bad breath; it’s an inflammation of your gums brought by a plaque buildup. This oral condition can be characterized by red, swollen or tender gums; when you brush and floss, the gums easily and quickly bleed. If left untreated, it can escalate into periodontitis, a more severe infection that will lead to tooth loss and various oral issues.

Causes of gingivitis
If you’re wondering what causes gingivitis, below are some of these:

• Plaque: As mentioned above, this is the primary culprit. It is that sticky film of bacteria constantly forming on your teeth. Combined with poor oral habits––such as not brushing and flossing at least twice a day––it turns into tartar and leads to a wide range of oral problems.

 

• Teeth misalignment: If your teeth are crowded, crooked, or overlapped, some areas may not be thoroughly cleaned, which then forms plaque and leads to gingivitis.

 

• Smoking: Smoking is bad for people’s health and also for their oral health because it can prevent your injured gums from healing.

 

• Hormonal changes: They make your blood vessels in the gum vulnerable to bacterial attacks, which typically happen during pregnancy, puberty or menopause.

 

• Health conditions: Be wary of some health conditions that can cause gum diseases. For instance, diabetes can affect the gums’ ability to heal. Also, cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, make you prone to gum infection.

 

• Medications: Some medications, such as anti-seizure drugs, can lead to gum diseases.

 

• Poor nutrition: The lack of water and vitamins and high consumption of sugar and carbohydrates can lead to gingivitis.

Dental treatments of gingivitis
If you’re looking to treat your gingivitis, below are three popular treatment options available:

• Teeth cleaning: This entails oral treatments and deep cleaning of your teeth, whether through scaling, laser, or root planning. The ultimate goal is to remove stubborn plaque and tartar to avoid gum infection.

 

• Medication intake: Your dentist will most likely recommend you to take some medications specifically designed to treat gingivitis. Some of these are antibiotic mouthwash, antibiotic microspheres, time-release antiseptic chips and oral antibiotics.

 

• Oral surgery: In some rare and extreme cases, you’ll have to undergo oral surgery to treat your gum infection. Popular procedures include bone and tissue graft and flap surgery, among others.

Conclusion
At this point, you now know more about what gingivitis is. Most importantly, you know what causes it and how you can treat the condition. Likewise, be sure to consider all the valuable information discussed above to know what to avoid and what to do when inflicted with gum diseases. Ultimately, visiting your dentist regularly will make a difference in getting the right dental treatment and addressing gingivitis!
Our dental clinic addresses dental emergencies in Edmonton, whether severe toothache, gum diseases, or dental trauma. If you’re looking for an emergency dentist, get in touch with us today to schedule a dental appointment!